Liu Tao, the former deputy head of Linli county in Central China's Hunan province, who is in his early 30s, recently quit his job to become a full-time kiwi fruit farmer in his rural hometown in the province, pledging to improve the well-being of his destitute fellow villagers. Comments:

Liu's resignation is an isolated case that happened amid the declining popularity of civil service jobs in the country, which explains the heated online debate over his choice. It is pointless to judge his personal decision in a black-and-white manner, because he himself may not be so sure about it. It is his courage in taking responsibility for his fellow villagers that deserves respect. In this increasingly pluralistic society, everyone has the freedom to make his or her own choice. So it is natural for this deputy county head to make such a move.

Southern Metropolis Daily, June 27

Liu's decision to quit as a government official should be understood and respected. There is no need for the local government to ask him to stay as it is way too natural for some government officials to quit when they believe that they have a better choice. On the other hand, the public should not make a fuss over his resignation, and it is even ridiculous to make a guess at his motivation for doing so. He may just think that it is more proper for him to do something else rather than working as a government employee.

jxnews.com.cn, June 18

Given the fact that some corrupt officials have accumulated a lot of wealth by abuse of power and some invisible privileges or welfare that government employees enjoy, admittedly, many people tend to be obsessed with working for the government, believing at least a position in the government means a permanent job that bears no risk of being sacked someday in the future. But it is notable that an increasing number of them have a sense of equality, which prompts them to reassess public power and take being a civil servant as an ordinary profession.

Spring City Evening News, June 27